Lotus Leaf Books Chinese Summer Reading Challenge 2026
Free Chinese Summer Reading Bingo for Heritage Learners
Summer is officially here!
In the Northeast, I'm relishing the late summer nights, which also might mean fitting in a few extra (Chinese) books before bedtime. But if your kids are learning Mandarin or maintaining their heritage Chinese, summer reading can feel like a challenge, especially when you're juggling two (or more) languages.
I created this free bingo board for for children to keep track of the Chinese books they're reading this summer. It's designed specifically for families like yours: conversational parents, kids at different reading levels, and the real-life goal of keeping Chinese alive over summer break.
Download the Lotus Leaf Books Chinese Summer Reading Bingo Board here.
Submit your completed rows or boards here.
How it works:
- Print the board or fill it out digitally
- Help your kids read books in each category (any books count — yours or anyone else's)
- Find 5 in a row and submit your book titles to get 10% off at Lotus Leaf Books
- Complete all 25 squares by August 31 for a chance to win a $25 gift card
Why Summer Reading Matters for Chinese Heritage Learners
Summer break is when many heritage learners lose momentum (unless you're traveling to a Chinese speaking country!). School ends, routine disappears, and without intentional effort, kids can drop a language in just a few weeks.
But summer is also an opportunity. When school isn't in session, reading becomes less like homework and more like fun. A good book, whether it's about dragons, food, or friendship, doesn't feel like studying. It just feels like a story worth finishing.
The challenge for heritage families is finding books that work for you. You speak conversational Mandarin, but maybe you don't read characters fluently. Your kids are somewhere between fluent and learning. A book that's perfect for one might feel too easy or too hard for the other.
That's what we built this bingo board to solve.
How the Summer Reading Challenge Works
Each square on the board is a reading category, not a specific book title. You can use books from our store, your library, or anywhere else
The goal isn't to be rigid. It's to give your kids a reason to keep reading Chinese when summer would otherwise pull them away from it.
Main goal: Find 5 in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) and submit your 5 book titles. You'll get a code for 10% off your next Lotus Leaf Books order.
Bonus goal: Complete all 25 squares by August 31 and you're entered to win a $25 gift card.
What Books Work Best for This Board?
The categories are designed for heritage learner families. You'll see squares like:
- A book about family
- A book about friendship
- A book set in China
- A book you read with a grandparent
Over the next few weeks over email and on Instagram, we'll feature books we carry that fit these categories. We also encourage you to find stories of your own.
Common Questions About the Summer Reading Challenge
Do the books have to be from Lotus Leaf Books?
No. Any Chinese books count. The whole point is to celebrate reading in your home, no matter the source. We encourage you to check out the Chinese selection at your local library, borrow books from a friend, and of course, to check out our curated collection of books :)
Do I have to print it?
Nope. Fill it out digitally on your phone or tablet, or write book titles on a piece of paper. However works best for your family.
Can I get multiple discount codes?
You'll receive a 10% off code for the first row of 5 books you fill out - each customer is limited to one discount code. But - fill out the whole grid and you can enter into the raffle!
When is the deadline?
Submit your 5 books by August 31 to get the 10% code (discount codes expire September 30). To be entered in the $25 gift card raffle, submit by August 31.
About Lotus Leaf Books
Lotus Leaf Books is a curated online bookstore for Chinese American families and heritage-speaking parents. We specialize in Simplified Chinese children's books that come with pinyin guides or inline pinyin.
Every book comes with free printable pinyin guides. We source from Chinese publishers and from American publishers like Bitty Bao, Duck Duck Books, and Lychee Press.
Our customers are parents raising bilingual kids, grandparents supporting language maintenance, and teachers looking for authentic Chinese literature for classrooms.
Shop Chinese children's books at Lotus Leaf Books →